The Effect of Interface on the Structure of Interaction in Computer-Mediated Small-Group Discussion

In the traditional classroom, talk is usually considered noise that must be controlled, but there is mounting evidence that talk is vital to learning and education. Implementing a change from the traditional classroom to one that values talk is not a simple matter. Computer technology may provide a solution. However, our understanding of how computer-mediated communication systems affect patterns of interaction is severely limited. Research into the nature of interaction demonstrates that interaction does not normally consist of a succession of disconnected remarks but is a collaborative effort. Consequently, it is important for participants to be able to identify not only for whom a message was intended but also the position of that message in an ongoing sequence of messages. A major disadvantage of current CMC design is that it can be structurally difficult to relate previous messages. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a redesigned user interface on the structure of interaction between group members in a small-group discussion. It was found that a graphic-based interface significantly reduced isolate messages as well as increasing sustained multichannel interaction.